YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

HOW CAN I GET A RECRUITER TO RETURN MY PHONE CALLS?

EXPERIENCED DARREN BUCHANAN MANAGING DIRECTOR, HAYS QUEENSLAND

A big part of the job of a recruitment consultant involves building relationships with employers so we have access to the market’s best job opportunities. This involves spending time in employers’ businesses, which is why we are not always at our desk to return phone calls immediately. Recruiters want to speak with suitable jobseekers, so apply for jobs that are relevant to your skills and experience. Remember, it’s important to build a relationship with a relevant recruiter and demonstrate the soft skills that employers value in all your interactions with them.

MID-CAREER SINEAD HOURIGAN BRISBANE DIRECTOR, ROBERT WALTERS

It’s really important to realise recruiters get an inordinate amount of phone calls from clients and candidates and, although it is never acceptable to not return phone calls, we do need to have reasonable expectations on what people can deliver. To improve your responses be clear on why you are calling the recruiter, look on your LinkedIn profile to see the connections you may have with the recruiter, and think carefully about whether the role is really right for you. Don’t ever take an unreturned call personally. Some recruiters will take in excess of 50 calls a day.

UP & COMING JULIE FORD SENIOR EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT, McARTHUR

I appreciate it’s frustrating for candidates who might be pinning all hopes on an application. Recruiters are busy – like having 2457 browsers open at once. I can be running multiple jobs with literally hundreds of applicants vying for my attention. The best strategy is to ensure you are ringing with a genuine inquiry. Do your research, read instructions. Leave a detailed and relevant message. I triage messages to ensure the candidates I call have the most pressing and relevant needs. Also, have a good phone mailbox as no recruiter likes leaving a “10-second voice-to-text”.

THE EXPERT DR NERIDA HILLBERG DIRECTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, FERRIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS

I view it highly unprofessional and unethical to not return phone calls. I hear candidates time and time again bemoan the lack of courtesy afforded to them by recruiters. To have the best chance of a recruiter getting back to you, make your CV impossible to ignore – clear, concise, accurate, quantified and current. Second, ensure your first contact point with the recruiter compels them to call you – demonstrate in your email or phone message to them that you’ve done your homework and research on the job you are inquiring about.